PRESS RELEASE

Success Story of a Symbiotic Relationship Between Fako Diaspora & the Local Population

-Our Journey through the Production and distribution of Masks for Fako populations

Fakolites at home and abroad through the Fako Development Forum, a WhatsApp group, banded together in a seemingly improbable partnership; it was an ambitious project to produce and deliver thousands of COVID-19 masks to the local population on time. The standards were set high, locally produce 7,500 high-quality masks to the recommended guidelines of the UN; three-layered cloth, 100% cotton.

               

International coordinator of Fako Dev’t Forum Mola Kinge Monono

The international coordinator of the Fako mask project, Mola Nganje Kinge Monono after consultation with the Paramount Chief designate of Buea, HRH Esuka Endeley, and Mola Makuna Tande all of the USA, Mola Martin Ewoma of UK, and Dr. Jembia Mosoko of Cameroon, reached out to most of the mayors in Fako Division and had a verbal memorandum of understanding with them.

                The mayor of Buea Mr. David Mafany Namange Esq., who also doubles as the chairman of the board of directors of the Cameroon Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) Buea, provided the project with lodging facility within OIC for us to incubate the project. A sewing lab was set at OIC with fourteen tailors and seamstresses. Social distancing was maintained at all times in the lab beginning with the placement of the sewing machines; regular washing of hands was standard protocol, and masks were worn by all workers. Interns for capacity building were requested to submit their CVs for recruitment. A total of four interns were meticulously interviewed for the job and retained.

                The success of this project validates the hypothesis that Fakolites at home and abroad can agree on a venture, work on it diligently without the normal rough and tumble, and deliver state-of-the-art masks. In essence, this project was more than a mask production and distribution, it was also a pace-setter model for future collaborative endeavors between the Fako diaspora and her locals. By this venture, we are proving to all the skeptics and naysayers that Fakolites can actually come together for a common and productive purpose.

                At the official handing over ceremony in Limbe on the 19th of May, 2020 presided over by the SDO for Fako and attended by all the DOs, Mayors, district medical officers, CDC women's Representatives, Representatives of urban transportation (Taxis and Bikes) and the forces of law and order, a speech from the international coordinator Mola Nganje Kinge Monono was read. He thanked all the donors and administrators who facilitated the project, the tailors, interns and local coordinators of the project.

                At the end of the ceremony, certificates of participation were given to all the tailors and interns, and the masks were distributed to the cities of Buea, Limbe, Tiko, Muyuka, Idenau, CDC women's group, government officials, bike-riders and military personnel.